Allegations That Hajj Funds Are Used To Build Infrastructure, PKS Asks BPKH To Be Transparent

DOK ANTARA/Hidayat Nur Wahid

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the MPR from the PKS faction, Hidayat Nur Wahid (HNW) asked the Hajj Financial Management Agency (BPKH) to explain transparently the condition of the Hajj funds.

This is because, due to the cancellation of the Hajj from Indonesia, there have been accusations that the government uses the hajj funds to build infrastructure.

"If now there are various things that cause controversy, questions, and so on, I hope BPKH will dare to open up to explain to the public what is actually the performance and legitimacy of the use of pilgrims' hajj funds," said HNW in a virtual discussion Front. Page Comm, Tuesday, June 8th.

So far, BPKH's financial management has received an audit from the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK). Therefore, HNW is to audit the 2021 hajj funds in order to eliminate slander due to the decision to cancel the implementation of this year's hajj.

This is also a transparency of Hajj funds, although the Ministry of Religion and BPKH also ensure that the money for prospective pilgrims who cancel their departure is parked safely and will be invested in Islamic banks.

"The demand for audits of hajj funds is growing. Even though there are guarantees from the Minister of Religion and the Head of BPKH that hajj funds are safe. To eliminate slander, and ensure the safety of hajj funds, it is better if the BPK transparently audits hajj funds immediately, with the support of BPKH and the Ministry of Religion," he said. .

In addition, HNW also admitted that it would try to propose the formation of a special committee (pansus) for hajj funds in the Indonesian House of Representatives. This is to investigate the fate of the hajj funds after the government announced that Indonesian citizens had canceled their pilgrimage this year.

"The appointment of a special committee is something that makes a lot of sense and is very rational to form. I will convey this proposal to my faction. And if for example there are more formal proposals that propose, it will also encourage the DPR to accept more, " he said.

HNW admitted that currently the only opposition parties in the DPR are PKS and Democrats. Meanwhile, the requirement for the formation of the special committee is more than one faction and a minimum of 25 members of the council are proposed.

However, according to him, the special committee regarding Hajj funds is a matter related to the interests of the wider community. It is possible that a number of other factions agreed to form a special committee even though they were in a coalition.

"Even though outside the government there are only PKS and Democrats, not everything that starts from the government can automatically run. For example, there is a presidential regulation on alcohol investment. The government wants it to be implemented, but we refuse. Finally it can be canceled," said HNW.

"So, if our attitude in the DPR refuses, then it is supported by the public with strong rationality, with a good solution, of course it will be realized. With more of us, it will be easier to pass the special hajj committee," he continued.

For information, the friend of the famous Ustaz Abdul Somad recently went viral. In the video circulating, Ustaz Abdul Somad is seen furiously criticizing the cancellation of the pilgrims who went on the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

UAS - Abdul Somad's nickname - alleges that the money belonging to the congregation was then used by the government for infrastructure development.

"There is no money used for Hajj funds, Muslims are noisy, Muslims are raging, we pay for Hajj to go for Hajj, not our money to be used to build roads, invest! Go berserk! Stop, that's the test. keep quiet," said UAS vehemently in the video.

However, Presidential Chief of Staff (KSP) Moeldoko denied the rumors circulating that the government allocated funds for Hajj candidates to finance infrastructure development. "There is nothing like that. The issue is misleading," said Moeldoko.